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Time for a chatSydney Morning Herald,Â AustraliaÂ - 8 hours ago… member of the anarchic comedy trio Doug Anthony Allstars, to the suggestion that one day he’d be a gentle, middle-of-the-road interviewer on ABC radio and you …

A group of Tasmanian companies has won a contract to provide remote Pacific islands with FM radio.

The Kiribati Government awarded about $2 million to the Powercom group to set up the first radio contact between the country’s coral islands.

The islands are so remote that the radio equipment will be transported via canoe.

Powercom managing director Dianne Thompson says the company is experienced in challenging terrain after working with the Tasmanian landscape.

“We put a system on, the CDMA system on King Island in the year 2000 and that we had to also get everything onto the island and probably that’s where we got our expertise in working in difficult places,” she said. (source ABC)

It’s taken just a year but Vega, the $158 million experiment in Australian commercial radio, is no more. Conceived in a belief that Sydney and Melbourne could be “networked” and linked by a common interest in adult talk and golden oldies music for the boomer generation, Vega’s experiment finally ended last Friday with the news that both stations would be reverting to more local operations FULL STORY CRIKEY WEBSITE

96.9 SUN FM officially died at 8:00am this morning . You can listen to the switch via the Star FM website. It did used to be a great station back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. 107.7 was their frequencyÂ to start with. Sun has enjoyed many great radio jocks including Brendan Barnes, Vinnie Shannon, Daniel Gunn, Dave Williams. (the names are endless) Tattler would be grateful for any of your SunÂ FM memories. radionews@fastmail.com.au

With Leo Nelson now head honcho of the stationÂ Perth’s 6IX has recently had a slight line up change. Night time announcer Gordon O’Byrne has moved to afternoons. (2.00PM UNTIL 6.00PM) Moving into evenings is floaterÂ Steve Nicola.

Magic 1278 is now streaming live on the internet. The Melbourne music station which recently swapped frequencies with its sister station 3AW has been flooded with requests from disgruntled listeners to find a solution to their new found ‘reception’ problems.

The streaming goes a long way in resolving some of their concerns. SimplyÂ click hereÂ to listenÂ or click the logo to drop in on the team at Magic 1278.

Vega FMÂ today announced 3 new names have joined them. Former GOLD 1043 Classic Cafe host and summer fill in, Wilbur Wilde will be the new drive presenter in Melbourne.

Also joining Vega 95.3 Sydney are Jason Staveley who will take over mornings and Nathan ‘Doc’ Hardy who is set for afternoons.Â

Former networked drive presenters Rebecca Wilson and Tony Squires will move to breakfast with Angela Catterns from next Monday.

This is just the start of a lot of hard work by new PD Jeff O’Brien who is steering theÂ re birthÂ of the Vega brand. Athough night programs will be networked between the sister stations, both 91.5 and 95.3 will forge their own unique identity with Melbourne boasting the widest music variety of any commercial music radio station.

Radio presenter Ray Hadley has accused a Sydney hotel of â€œreverse discriminationâ€ for asking his friends to vacate a function room to make way for a lesbian event.

But the organiser of the Fingers First event said Hadleyâ€™s party was asked to leave because the lesbians felt intimidated by them.

Hadley, host of 2GBâ€™s morning show, told listeners on Monday he attended a party on Friday night with his work colleagues in a booked function room at the Civic Hotel.

At around 8:30pm he noticed a group of women at the bar, â€œand it was fairly obvious these young ladies were lesbians because they were holding hands and they dressed like men,â€ he said on his program.

â€œNow I donâ€™t have a problem with that. I said hello to a couple of them who obviously listen to this program,â€ he added.

Hadley also said some of his own colleagues had taken their same-sex partners to his function, and he had â€œno problem with that whatsoeverâ€.

Hadley said he left the party at 9:30pm. Around 10pm â€“ the time Fingers First officially started â€“ the hotelâ€™s management told his colleagues to move to a downstairs bar because the women at the party in the adjoining space felt intimidated by some of the men, he said.

It was â€œone of the most ridiculous complaints you could ever imagine from a group of young women who described themselves as lesbiansâ€, he said on his program.

Hadley also said he was offended by a sign in the venue for the lesbian event, saying â€œFingers Firstâ€.

Alex Theydon, a director of events company Lipstick Theatre, which held Fingers First, told Sydney Star Observer a few of the men had been â€œquite rude and intimidating to the girlsâ€.

â€œI donâ€™t mean to include all of them, but there were four who I noticed in particular,â€ she said. â€œThey were leering at them, saying things like, â€˜lesbians, youâ€™re hot.â€™ Grabbing arms, commenting to them.â€

Theydon said five women complained to her about the menâ€™s behaviour before she asked security to remove the party.

The incident affected â€œthe feel of the whole nightâ€, Theydon said, and the crowd of around 300 women at Fingers First left the party earlier than she had expected.

Former 4BC drive presenter Chris Adams is returning to the station as News DirectorÂ (4BH/4BC) after Steve Speziale recently resigned. Chris has come full circle with 4BC having started as breakfast producer in 1998. He has also worked in current affairs with both the 7 AND 9 networks.

Georgia Main has joined the Southern Cross news in Melbourne from 3BA/PowerFM Ballarat.

RADIO 3AW’s move to the 693 AM frequency has backfired in the Geelong area, where old licences dating back to the 3GL days block AM stations broadcasting into Geelong.3AW and Geelong electronics experts have been hit with complaints about the station’s weak signal since it swapped frequencies with stablemate Magic on May 1.But the federal broadcasting authority said it has no plans to rectify the situation, and 3AW has said it would be in breach of its licence to try to strengthen its signal into Geelong.

Radio 3AW engineering manager Stephen Beers said the station’s relatively weak 5-kilowatt transmitter was now being blocked near Werribee. FULL STRORY

Fairfax man picked to lead ABCSydney Morning Herald… was rumoured to include the ABC’s former head of television Sandra Levy, a former managing director at SBS, Nigel Milan, and the head of ABC Radio, Sue Howard. …

‘Confused of Colac’ has mentioned to RADIOTATTLER it appears that theÂ Derryn Hinch drive programÂ is no longer heard on most of the Ace radio network across regional Victoria.

The playlists between Magic 1278 and 3MP seem toÂ be closer than ever since Magic moved up the dial. In this what is 3MP’s 30th year on air could they have been givenÂ a minor trump card much in the sameÂ fashion it received in the mid 1980’s when 3AKÂ switched from the Beautiful MusicÂ format? Only a few ratings surveys will be the proof in the pudding!Â

A slow start but sights set on goldThe Age,Â AustraliaÂ -CLASSIC HITS radio station Gold FM is gearing up for a big year despite falling further behind in the ratings as listeners swapped their daily dose of the……..

One of north-west Victoria’s six community radio stations has closed, saying it has been unable to attract enough volunteers to keep the service viable.

The Barham-based Two State FM was established 15 years ago, but surrendered its licence at the weekend, leaving remaining community stations at Horsham, St Arnaud, Murrayville, Mildura and Swan Hill.

Two State FM’s founder, Ray Haven, says community radio has a healthy future in rural communities, but maintaining his station in a small area was difficult.

“It’s devastating, but you know it’s been probably one of the hardest couple of weeks of my life and … I can’t really comprehend that something that started off so positive has finished so sadly,” he said.

A Thai entrepreneur has launched the world’s first internet radio station for dogs.

DogRadio.com features barking human DJs playing round-the-clock music with no ad breaks.The station’s owner, Anupan Boonchuen, insists that music can affect the way dogs behave.

“I’ve noticed that dogs often respond to music. Some wag their tails. Some lift their heads while lying on the floor,” he said.

“At my grooming school we found that when we turned on music the dogs’ mood improved. They were more obedient and let us trim their hair easily.”

Mr Boonchuen has hired 10 students from the grooming school to work as DJs: “He or she must be good at barking because dogs are our listeners — the DJs may have to make different sounds, such as whining or barking.”Â (The Australian)

Copyright changes announcedDaily Telegraph,AUSTRALIANS will legally be able to record TV and radio programs and transfer material from CDs to mp3 players, under proposed copyright changes announced today … Rural voice for BartlettSunday Times.au,6PR recruit Liam Bartlett will be heard on radio stations throughout the north of WA from tomorrow. …

The ABC is set to measure web traffic of online listening, downloading of podcasts and live streaming including on demand services. This is an area that the current ratings system currently can’t measure. Although listeners of the current ratings system can nominate if they are listening at work, home or in the car.Â No commercial station had yet requested that figures on overseas online listening be collected by Nielsen Media Research, which has the contract for radio ratings across Australia.Â

The ABC wants a better understanding of where and why it’s listeners are on the net. Their sites currently gather over 2 million hits a month.

Adelaide’s Cruise 1323 has recently adjusted their line up. John Dean has moved to breakfast from weekend afternoons. PD Peter Burgham hasÂ ditched breakfastÂ and moved to mornings 10am until midday. Craig Huggins is now presenting afternoons Midday through until 4.00pm.

With Magic 693 now just a memory the Melbourne Herald Sun Guide was today awash with letters from disgruntled listeners. Unhappy with the reception of the new Magic 1278 was the common thread although there is an answer to their problem. Invest in a loop antenna! PKâ€™s Loop Antennas can turn poor radio reception into a much improved listening experience.To find out more call Paul Karlstrand on 0412 302 939 or visit his website at www.amradioantennas.com

WSFM’s Steve Carline has resigned from the station. Steve had been atÂ WSFMÂ since 2003 and wasÂ presenting weekend breakfast

A top rating breakfast announcer was recently heard to say ‘don’t mention the war’ throughout the program. Was he telling us something candid in relation to a recent well advertised event? Sisters can be so bitchy!

Vega will make some much needed programming and format changes across both stations in the next couple of weeks. We hear new PD Jeff O’brien is keen to get on with the job and make his mark on the struggling duo.

Ray Kington has left Alburyâ€™s 2AY. RayÂ who presented afternoons at 2AY was formerly part of the 3BA onair team. We will let you know where the Chrysler Royal heads to! Adrian Maher is nowÂ covering 2AY afternoons.

W Audio may fetch up to $5mAustralian - Sydney,AustraliaTHE administrator of digital radio aspirant WorldAudio says he is reasonably confident of striking a deal to sell the business by the end of the month. …

Sam Newman in trouble againAdvertiser Adelaide,Â AustraliaÂ - May 8 2006…Before doing so, he walked into the K Rock radio box next door and vented his frustration at former Geelong player and Channel 9 colleague Billy Brownless. …

Broader radio cover forecastAFL,Â AustraliaÂ - May 2, 2006Supporters will be guaranteed live radio coverage when their teams play interstate under the AFL’s next radio rights agreement. …

Â Extension of digital radio trials in Sydney and MelbourneThe Australian Communications and Media Authority has decided to extend current Eureka 147 digital radio trials in Sydney and Melbourne until 30 June 2007.The trials, using VHF Band III spectrum, are being conducted in Sydney by Commercial Radio Australia and in Melbourne by Broadcast Australia. FULL ITEM

ACMA proposes a new high power open narrowcasting radio service for Canberra

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has decided to make a new high power open narrowcasting radio service available in Canberra, to operate on 1323 kHz on the MF-AM band. The decision is contained in a variation to the radio licence area plan for Canberra released today.ACMA plans to auction the licence to provide a new narrowcasting service later this year. FULL ITEM

6IX afternoon announcer and Program Director Leo Nelson has been appointed General Manager of the station. Leo has been PD for just on eight years at 6IX and was previously the PD of 6PM for a record 14 years.

Time for a chatSydney Morning Herald,Â AustraliaÂ - 8 hours ago… member of the anarchic comedy trio Doug Anthony Allstars, to the suggestion that one day he’d be a gentle, middle-of-the-road interviewer on ABC radio and you …

A group of Tasmanian companies has won a contract to provide remote Pacific islands with FM radio.

The Kiribati Government awarded about $2 million to the Powercom group to set up the first radio contact between the country’s coral islands.

The islands are so remote that the radio equipment will be transported via canoe.

Powercom managing director Dianne Thompson says the company is experienced in challenging terrain after working with the Tasmanian landscape.

“We put a system on, the CDMA system on King Island in the year 2000 and that we had to also get everything onto the island and probably that’s where we got our expertise in working in difficult places,” she said. (source ABC)

It’s taken just a year but Vega, the $158 million experiment in Australian commercial radio, is no more. Conceived in a belief that Sydney and Melbourne could be “networked” and linked by a common interest in adult talk and golden oldies music for the boomer generation, Vega’s experiment finally ended last Friday with the news that both stations would be reverting to more local operations FULL STORY CRIKEY WEBSITE

96.9 SUN FM officially died at 8:00am this morning . You can listen to the switch via the Star FM website. It did used to be a great station back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. 107.7 was their frequencyÂ to start with. Sun has enjoyed many great radio jocks including Brendan Barnes, Vinnie Shannon, Daniel Gunn, Dave Williams. (the names are endless) Tattler would be grateful for any of your SunÂ FM memories. radionews@fastmail.com.au

With Leo Nelson now head honcho of the stationÂ Perth’s 6IX has recently had a slight line up change. Night time announcer Gordon O’Byrne has moved to afternoons. (2.00PM UNTIL 6.00PM) Moving into evenings is floaterÂ Steve Nicola.

Magic 1278 is now streaming live on the internet. The Melbourne music station which recently swapped frequencies with its sister station 3AW has been flooded with requests from disgruntled listeners to find a solution to their new found ‘reception’ problems.

The streaming goes a long way in resolving some of their concerns. SimplyÂ click hereÂ to listenÂ or click the logo to drop in on the team at Magic 1278.

Vega FMÂ today announced 3 new names have joined them. Former GOLD 1043 Classic Cafe host and summer fill in, Wilbur Wilde will be the new drive presenter in Melbourne.

Also joining Vega 95.3 Sydney are Jason Staveley who will take over mornings and Nathan ‘Doc’ Hardy who is set for afternoons.Â

Former networked drive presenters Rebecca Wilson and Tony Squires will move to breakfast with Angela Catterns from next Monday.

This is just the start of a lot of hard work by new PD Jeff O’Brien who is steering theÂ re birthÂ of the Vega brand. Athough night programs will be networked between the sister stations, both 91.5 and 95.3 will forge their own unique identity with Melbourne boasting the widest music variety of any commercial music radio station.

Radio presenter Ray Hadley has accused a Sydney hotel of â€œreverse discriminationâ€ for asking his friends to vacate a function room to make way for a lesbian event.

But the organiser of the Fingers First event said Hadleyâ€™s party was asked to leave because the lesbians felt intimidated by them.

Hadley, host of 2GBâ€™s morning show, told listeners on Monday he attended a party on Friday night with his work colleagues in a booked function room at the Civic Hotel.

At around 8:30pm he noticed a group of women at the bar, â€œand it was fairly obvious these young ladies were lesbians because they were holding hands and they dressed like men,â€ he said on his program.

â€œNow I donâ€™t have a problem with that. I said hello to a couple of them who obviously listen to this program,â€ he added.

Hadley also said some of his own colleagues had taken their same-sex partners to his function, and he had â€œno problem with that whatsoeverâ€.

Hadley said he left the party at 9:30pm. Around 10pm â€“ the time Fingers First officially started â€“ the hotelâ€™s management told his colleagues to move to a downstairs bar because the women at the party in the adjoining space felt intimidated by some of the men, he said.

It was â€œone of the most ridiculous complaints you could ever imagine from a group of young women who described themselves as lesbiansâ€, he said on his program.

Hadley also said he was offended by a sign in the venue for the lesbian event, saying â€œFingers Firstâ€.

Alex Theydon, a director of events company Lipstick Theatre, which held Fingers First, told Sydney Star Observer a few of the men had been â€œquite rude and intimidating to the girlsâ€.

â€œI donâ€™t mean to include all of them, but there were four who I noticed in particular,â€ she said. â€œThey were leering at them, saying things like, â€˜lesbians, youâ€™re hot.â€™ Grabbing arms, commenting to them.â€

Theydon said five women complained to her about the menâ€™s behaviour before she asked security to remove the party.

The incident affected â€œthe feel of the whole nightâ€, Theydon said, and the crowd of around 300 women at Fingers First left the party earlier than she had expected.

Former 4BC drive presenter Chris Adams is returning to the station as News DirectorÂ (4BH/4BC) after Steve Speziale recently resigned. Chris has come full circle with 4BC having started as breakfast producer in 1998. He has also worked in current affairs with both the 7 AND 9 networks.

Georgia Main has joined the Southern Cross news in Melbourne from 3BA/PowerFM Ballarat.

RADIO 3AW’s move to the 693 AM frequency has backfired in the Geelong area, where old licences dating back to the 3GL days block AM stations broadcasting into Geelong.3AW and Geelong electronics experts have been hit with complaints about the station’s weak signal since it swapped frequencies with stablemate Magic on May 1.But the federal broadcasting authority said it has no plans to rectify the situation, and 3AW has said it would be in breach of its licence to try to strengthen its signal into Geelong.

Radio 3AW engineering manager Stephen Beers said the station’s relatively weak 5-kilowatt transmitter was now being blocked near Werribee. FULL STRORY

Fairfax man picked to lead ABCSydney Morning Herald… was rumoured to include the ABC’s former head of television Sandra Levy, a former managing director at SBS, Nigel Milan, and the head of ABC Radio, Sue Howard. …

‘Confused of Colac’ has mentioned to RADIOTATTLER it appears that theÂ Derryn Hinch drive programÂ is no longer heard on most of the Ace radio network across regional Victoria.

The playlists between Magic 1278 and 3MP seem toÂ be closer than ever since Magic moved up the dial. In this what is 3MP’s 30th year on air could they have been givenÂ a minor trump card much in the sameÂ fashion it received in the mid 1980’s when 3AKÂ switched from the Beautiful MusicÂ format? Only a few ratings surveys will be the proof in the pudding!Â

A slow start but sights set on goldThe Age,Â AustraliaÂ -CLASSIC HITS radio station Gold FM is gearing up for a big year despite falling further behind in the ratings as listeners swapped their daily dose of the……..

One of north-west Victoria’s six community radio stations has closed, saying it has been unable to attract enough volunteers to keep the service viable.

The Barham-based Two State FM was established 15 years ago, but surrendered its licence at the weekend, leaving remaining community stations at Horsham, St Arnaud, Murrayville, Mildura and Swan Hill.

Two State FM’s founder, Ray Haven, says community radio has a healthy future in rural communities, but maintaining his station in a small area was difficult.

“It’s devastating, but you know it’s been probably one of the hardest couple of weeks of my life and … I can’t really comprehend that something that started off so positive has finished so sadly,” he said.

A Thai entrepreneur has launched the world’s first internet radio station for dogs.

DogRadio.com features barking human DJs playing round-the-clock music with no ad breaks.The station’s owner, Anupan Boonchuen, insists that music can affect the way dogs behave.

“I’ve noticed that dogs often respond to music. Some wag their tails. Some lift their heads while lying on the floor,” he said.

“At my grooming school we found that when we turned on music the dogs’ mood improved. They were more obedient and let us trim their hair easily.”

Mr Boonchuen has hired 10 students from the grooming school to work as DJs: “He or she must be good at barking because dogs are our listeners — the DJs may have to make different sounds, such as whining or barking.”Â (The Australian)

Copyright changes announcedDaily Telegraph,AUSTRALIANS will legally be able to record TV and radio programs and transfer material from CDs to mp3 players, under proposed copyright changes announced today … Rural voice for BartlettSunday Times.au,6PR recruit Liam Bartlett will be heard on radio stations throughout the north of WA from tomorrow. …

The ABC is set to measure web traffic of online listening, downloading of podcasts and live streaming including on demand services. This is an area that the current ratings system currently can’t measure. Although listeners of the current ratings system can nominate if they are listening at work, home or in the car.Â No commercial station had yet requested that figures on overseas online listening be collected by Nielsen Media Research, which has the contract for radio ratings across Australia.Â

The ABC wants a better understanding of where and why it’s listeners are on the net. Their sites currently gather over 2 million hits a month.

Adelaide’s Cruise 1323 has recently adjusted their line up. John Dean has moved to breakfast from weekend afternoons. PD Peter Burgham hasÂ ditched breakfastÂ and moved to mornings 10am until midday. Craig Huggins is now presenting afternoons Midday through until 4.00pm.

With Magic 693 now just a memory the Melbourne Herald Sun Guide was today awash with letters from disgruntled listeners. Unhappy with the reception of the new Magic 1278 was the common thread although there is an answer to their problem. Invest in a loop antenna! PKâ€™s Loop Antennas can turn poor radio reception into a much improved listening experience.To find out more call Paul Karlstrand on 0412 302 939 or visit his website at www.amradioantennas.com

WSFM’s Steve Carline has resigned from the station. Steve had been atÂ WSFMÂ since 2003 and wasÂ presenting weekend breakfast

A top rating breakfast announcer was recently heard to say ‘don’t mention the war’ throughout the program. Was he telling us something candid in relation to a recent well advertised event? Sisters can be so bitchy!

Vega will make some much needed programming and format changes across both stations in the next couple of weeks. We hear new PD Jeff O’brien is keen to get on with the job and make his mark on the struggling duo.

Ray Kington has left Alburyâ€™s 2AY. RayÂ who presented afternoons at 2AY was formerly part of the 3BA onair team. We will let you know where the Chrysler Royal heads to! Adrian Maher is nowÂ covering 2AY afternoons.

W Audio may fetch up to $5mAustralian - Sydney,AustraliaTHE administrator of digital radio aspirant WorldAudio says he is reasonably confident of striking a deal to sell the business by the end of the month. …

Sam Newman in trouble againAdvertiser Adelaide,Â AustraliaÂ - May 8 2006…Before doing so, he walked into the K Rock radio box next door and vented his frustration at former Geelong player and Channel 9 colleague Billy Brownless. …

Broader radio cover forecastAFL,Â AustraliaÂ - May 2, 2006Supporters will be guaranteed live radio coverage when their teams play interstate under the AFL’s next radio rights agreement. …

Â Extension of digital radio trials in Sydney and MelbourneThe Australian Communications and Media Authority has decided to extend current Eureka 147 digital radio trials in Sydney and Melbourne until 30 June 2007.The trials, using VHF Band III spectrum, are being conducted in Sydney by Commercial Radio Australia and in Melbourne by Broadcast Australia. FULL ITEM

ACMA proposes a new high power open narrowcasting radio service for Canberra

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has decided to make a new high power open narrowcasting radio service available in Canberra, to operate on 1323 kHz on the MF-AM band. The decision is contained in a variation to the radio licence area plan for Canberra released today.ACMA plans to auction the licence to provide a new narrowcasting service later this year. FULL ITEM

6IX afternoon announcer and Program Director Leo Nelson has been appointed General Manager of the station. Leo has been PD for just on eight years at 6IX and was previously the PD of 6PM for a record 14 years.